Tag Archives: Wall Street Journal

Leaked screen shot of what is allegedly Samsung's answer to Apple's iWatch

With smear campaigns and even legal drama, Apple and Samsung have been at war for some time now. And with a new Samsung phone accessory in development, we know exactly where the next battle will be fought.

According to Bloomberg, the company is working on a smart watch that could rival the iWatch, a new Apple accessory that's also reportedly in development. And the potential for cut-throat competition between the two companies is already a hot topic, with the Wall Street Journal calling this their "next battleground" and 9to5Mac quipping "the smart watch race is on."

One of the alleged screen shots of Samsung's upcoming smart watch hints at features and a Galaxy name

Samsung has actually confirmed they're working on this fun gadget, but they haven't really revealed anything about it. Still, there's speculation that it may be marketed as part of Samsung's Galaxy line. "One would think that a product like this would fall under the Galaxy naming scheme and be called something like the “Galaxy Watch,” writes MobileSyrup.

Meanwhile, leaked screen shots obtained by Slashgear that puportedly show the device back that assumption up, with a view of the watch face displaying the name Samsung Galaxy Altius.

Even though we don't know much yet about the upcoming device, if we judge by existing smart watches, like the Pebble or Sony's SmartWatch, we can make a few assumptions.

Samsung's smart watch will most likely be a bluetooth-enabled accessory that allows you to view updates and notifications from your phone, and will probably also include features like an actual clock, a calendar and music player.

Beyond that, it's hard to say. But since the smart watch market is looking a lot like an arms race these days, it's likely that this next Samsung phone accessory surpasses the Samsung-compatible Sony SmartWatch in terms of features. In any case, it'll have to, if Samsung wants to stand a chance in its next bout with Apple.

Google's CEO has been fuelling rumors of a Motorola-made shatter-proof Google X phone

According to some recent rumors, Google and Motorola may just be working on a phone that that can go without the usual protective cases and accessories.

Mashable reported recently on a rumored Motorola-made Google phone termed the Google X, which has been stirring up speculation since at the Wall Street Journal broached the topic this past fall. Still, there's been little information as to what the new phone's specs might be.

But in a recent interview with WIRED magazine, Google CEO Larry Page gave us a pretty fresh hint – the Google X may be unbreakable:

"There’s a lot of room for innovation in hardware [...] The phones we use now have glass that everyone worries will break if they drop the device. Five or 10 years from now, that will be different."

Needless to say, Page is a reliable source when it comes to what we can expect from a Google-backed phone. And some are positing theories that the Google X may sport a flexible display or may, at the very least, be shatter-proof.

"The benefits of a 'bendy' phone are questionable, but using a flexible display would result in a phone that's much more immune to shattering, unlike the relatively fragile touch screens of today," says Mashable.

If these theories hold any water, Google may have a product on its hands that doesn't even need the shock-absorption of a case. And while that's bound to make users happy, third-party accessories makers probably wouldn't be thrilled.

But all this is moot anyway, since Google hasn't officially confirmed the existence of the Google X, much less its design specs. Until they do, the talk of a case-less, shatter-proof, bendy Google phone will have to remain squarely in the realm of speculation.

This wouldn't be the first time, but The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported yesterday on a rumor that Apple is at work on a new iPhone that's cheaper than the current models.

According to the report, the cheaper iPhone that Apple is supposedly developing would answer to the fact the company is under increasing pressure to make a more affordable device in the face of "an onslaught of lower cost rivals powered by Google Inc.'s Android operating system," which are snapping up more and more of the market.

Citing "people briefed in the matter," the report says that the lower-priced iPhone would look more or less like the standard iPhone but would forego the iPhone 5's aluminum backing for a cheaper polycarbonate shell. And on the inside, the rumored smartphone would have some recycled parts from older iPhone models.

True, as the WSJ's Digits noted, even older versions, like the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S, are pretty steep without carrier subsidies. "The iPhone 4 without a contract, a phone two generations old, for example, costs $450 on Apple’s store," writes Digits.

But even coming from the WSJ, others warn not to read too much into this rumor. There was similar speculation as far back as February 2011, and nothing ever came of it.

In tackling the reasons we should be skeptical, Gizmodo probably put it best:

Is Apple working on prototypes made from cheaper materials? I'm sure it is. It's also working on prototypes with more expensive materials, and has been exploring both since the very first iPhone came out. But why would Apple sell an iPhone with iPhone 4S parts when it already sells the iPhone 4S? Why make an iPhone 5 out of cheaper materials when in less than a year's time the iPhone 5 will be discounted heavily to make way for a shiny new iPhone 6 (or 5S, or whatever)?

Nevermind that you can actually buy a cheap iPhone 4S through the Apple store already, or get a free iPhone with a contract. In other words, you can hope and pray for a new, lower-priced iPhone – just don't hold your breath.

There's no telling how a Microsoft-made smartphone would affect the company's dealings with hardware partners

Right on the tails of a major week for Microsoft's Windows Phone 8, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that Microsoft may be developing a smartphone of its own to go with its new OS.

The November 2 article, which cites "officials at some of Microsoft's parts suppliers, who declined to be named," says the company is running tests in Asia on their own smartphone, a device measuring between 4 and 5 inches.

However, the article's sources say the company is still undecided as to whether the device in question will ever go into mass production. And, when asked about the phone by the WSJ last week, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer declined to comment.

Still, the possibility is intriguing. Should Microsoft come out with their own handset to accompany Windows Phone 8, it's anybody's guess how that would affect its partnership with hardware partners, like Samsung, HTC, and Nokia. After all, Apple certainly doesn't let competitors use its smartphone OS.

And, if Microsoft really is planning to launch its own mobile device, it would be a complete 180 for them, after years of developing the software and leaving the design up to others.

Even so, as Gizmodo points out, a Microsoft-made smartphone could be a thing of beauty:

"Microsoft’s eye for design is keener than ever, and while WinPho is great, it’s yet to make the impressions it could. Or even should. A Microsoft phone could change that."

But don't get carried away. Quoting an older article on its own site, Gizmodo cautioned:

"Even if these reports turn out to be totally accurate — and that’s far from certain — this does not mean that Microsoft is close to actually making a phone you can buy. It doesn’t even mean it ever will. Just that it’s developing the hardware, and testing it. That’s it."

Whether by accident or not, Apple seems to time its events to overshadow those of its competitors.

Here's the thing with Apple. Rumors surface, and create a little buzz, until one of its competitors announces news of their own, and the Apple rumor dies. And then wham! Apple comes out and makes the revelation everyone thought they would, trumping all the interest in whatever it was their competitor has just announced.

Pure Mobile reported yesterday that Samsung has sent out invitations for a special Galaxy Note II event in New York City scheduled for October 24. It's the kickoff to the the new device's world tour, and was likely to get the lion's share of tech reporting and headline space. Until...

Well, it turns out that the Galaxy Note II will have to share the spotlight, since Apple's just announced it will be holding an event for the iPad Mini – get this – October 23.

Likely to be unveiled October 23, Apple's iPad Mini is expected to be slightly smaller and slightly cheaper than its predecesor

When we initially reported on rumors of an iPad Mini event, we cited Forbes (among others) who said to expect invitations to start rolling out on the October 10. That makes us only a couple of days behind schedule.